Australia will gain access to Papua New Guinea's (PNG) military facilities and troops under a key deal that will see the nations come to each other's aid if either is attacked. Both governments say the deal was born from a years-long alliance between the two Pacific neighbors, but experts say it is aimed at countering China's growing influence in the region.
The deal ensures China will not have the same access to infrastructure in PNG as it does in other Pacific Islands, said Oliver Nobetau, project director of the Lowy Institute's Australia-PNG network. It will allow as many as 10,000 Papua New Guineans to serve in Australia's military, and give them the option to become Australian citizens.
With nearly 12 million people, PNG is the largest and most populous South Pacific nation. China has already significantly shored up trade with Pacific Island nations in recent years, and is now trying to establish diplomatic and security beachheads across the region. Australia and its Western allies, including the United States, have been attempting to counter these efforts.
In 2022, Beijing signed a security deal with the Solomon Islands which has seen Chinese police officers embedded across the country. In response, Canberra last December struck a deal to invest A$190m ($126m; £93m) into the Solomon Islands police force and set up a police training centre, with a similar agreement in place with Tuvalu.
PNG Prime Minister James Marape, who signed this latest agreement with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on Monday, stressed the deal was not born out of geopolitics. PNG has been 'transparent' with China, Marape said while in Canberra, adding: 'We have told them that Australia is our security partner of choice.'
The Pukpuk Treaty, named after the word for 'crocodile' in PNG pidgin, notes that an armed attack on either country would be 'dangerous to the other's peace and security', so both should 'act to meet the common danger'. The treaty emphasizes interoperability and preparedness of the military for cooperation.
Nobetau noted that the agreement will also help address Australia's recent struggles recruiting for its military, stating that PNG has an oversupply of able-bodied citizens willing to serve. Additionally, the deal includes annual joint military exercises aimed at demonstrating the interoperability of the forces.
While the agreement has garnered support, questions remain regarding its implications for PNG's non-aligned foreign policy stance and the potential costs associated with aligning closely with Australia amidst a backdrop of Chinese influence in the region.
The deal ensures China will not have the same access to infrastructure in PNG as it does in other Pacific Islands, said Oliver Nobetau, project director of the Lowy Institute's Australia-PNG network. It will allow as many as 10,000 Papua New Guineans to serve in Australia's military, and give them the option to become Australian citizens.
With nearly 12 million people, PNG is the largest and most populous South Pacific nation. China has already significantly shored up trade with Pacific Island nations in recent years, and is now trying to establish diplomatic and security beachheads across the region. Australia and its Western allies, including the United States, have been attempting to counter these efforts.
In 2022, Beijing signed a security deal with the Solomon Islands which has seen Chinese police officers embedded across the country. In response, Canberra last December struck a deal to invest A$190m ($126m; £93m) into the Solomon Islands police force and set up a police training centre, with a similar agreement in place with Tuvalu.
PNG Prime Minister James Marape, who signed this latest agreement with his Australian counterpart Anthony Albanese on Monday, stressed the deal was not born out of geopolitics. PNG has been 'transparent' with China, Marape said while in Canberra, adding: 'We have told them that Australia is our security partner of choice.'
The Pukpuk Treaty, named after the word for 'crocodile' in PNG pidgin, notes that an armed attack on either country would be 'dangerous to the other's peace and security', so both should 'act to meet the common danger'. The treaty emphasizes interoperability and preparedness of the military for cooperation.
Nobetau noted that the agreement will also help address Australia's recent struggles recruiting for its military, stating that PNG has an oversupply of able-bodied citizens willing to serve. Additionally, the deal includes annual joint military exercises aimed at demonstrating the interoperability of the forces.
While the agreement has garnered support, questions remain regarding its implications for PNG's non-aligned foreign policy stance and the potential costs associated with aligning closely with Australia amidst a backdrop of Chinese influence in the region.
